Distinctive hazard flash patterns for motor vehicles and for portable emergency warning devices with pulse generators to produce such patterns

ABSTRACT

A flashing light sequence which is readily distinguished by drivers as the signal for a hazard alert as contrasted with turn signal flashes. An electronic hazard alert flasher unit is described which generates a hazard warning signal which is distinctively different in flash rate and pattern from standard turn signals and other on-off warning lights. One version of the hazard alert flasher unit is intended to replace the standard element presently used in highway vehicles to generate the turn signal and hazard flash pulse. A second version of the hazard alert flasher can be used to control the flash rate of free-standing emergency electric lanterns, illuminated emergency warning triangles, and LED substitutes for pyrotechnic flares. The proposed hazard alert flash pattern consists of three or more short flashes followed by a longer pause.

PRIORITY

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/190,871 filed Mar. 21, 2000.

CROSS REFERENCES

[0002] Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0003] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0004] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] 1. Field of the Invention

[0006] A motor vehicle hazard warning signal which is easily and quicklydistinguished from a turn signal flash and which is more eye catchingthan the current hazard signal could make a significant contribution tohighway safety if such improved hazard signal were widely used and thusrecognized by drivers as the signal of a stopped or slow-moving vehicle.

[0007] As presently designed, automobiles, trucks, and buses use thesame flash rate and pattern for hazard flashers as is used for turnsignals. A hazard flasher switch causes both the left and right lampsused for turn signals to flashing unison. This “four-way flash” isuniversally understood to be the hazard signal for a stopped orslow-moving vehicle. Because the hazard signal rate and pattern of flashat present is the same as the turn signal rate and pattern, the only wayto distinguish a hazard flash from a turn signal flash is to observethat turn signal lights are flashing on both sides of the vehicle.

[0008] Many patents in the field concern improvements and modificationof the flashers which signal vehicle turns and/or vehicle hazardwarnings. Others relate to freestanding devices to warn of road hazards,e. g., disabled vehicles.

[0009] None of them attempts to introduce a distinctive flash rate andpattern of the hazard flash so as to distinguish it from a turn signalas does the present invention.

[0010] 2. Related Art

[0011] Some patents in the field and their claims:

[0012] Belcher et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,174 (Oct. 7, 1980). Anon-uniform hazard flash intended to indicate a driver in a distresssituation and requesting aid, in contrast to a stopped vehicle with auniform hazard flash rate and not in need of help. The distress flashpattern described is four short flashes followed by one long flash.

[0013] Beacom, U.S. Pat. No. 6,034,599 (Mar. 7, 2000). Couplingapparatus for warning lights on trailing unit.

[0014] Lucas, U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,759 (Dec. 9, 1975). Five differentflash combinations intended to indicate which of five differentsituations exists.

[0015] Effenberger, U.S. Pat. No. 3,493,927 (Feb. 3, 1967). Emergencyflash device which permits left and right directional lights to beflashed either synchronously or alternately.

[0016] Michelotti, U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,221 (Feb. 8, 2000). System toactivate hazard lights upon hard braking.

[0017] Ingram, U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,365 (Aug. 24, 1982). Brake lightscaused to flash when brakes have been applied continuously for apredetermined length of time.

[0018] Ohkuma, U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,511 (Feb. 16, 1999). Second hazardcontrol switch for passenger use. Also built-in sound indicator.

[0019] Davis et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,559 (May 30, 2000). Hazardflasher control system to detect operational and lamp failures.

[0020] Fritz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,142 (May 3, 1994). Maintain hazardflash rate when lamp outage occurs.

[0021] Incorvaia et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,280 (Sep. 21, 1993). Singlecontrol for 6-lamp system which satisfies Federal standard regardinglamp-outage indicator as well as standard for hazard flash rate.

[0022] Kimmelman, U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,210 (Dec. 10, 1991). Singlecombination electronic control which indicates turn signal lamp outageand maintains flash rate for hazard signal in spite of lamp outage.

[0023] Roller, U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,111 (Jan. 9, 1990).Heavy duty flasherwith long life and high reliability.

[0024] Spiteri, U.S. Pat. No. 4,173,013 (Oct. 30, 1979).Combinationflasher in which only control circuit current passes through turnsignal/hazard switch and pulse rate is generated by a computer chip.

[0025] Schorter, U.S. Pat. No. 3,824,542 (Jul. 16, 1974). Arepresentative electronic flasher unit with only two terminals.

[0026] Brusca, U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,876 (Apr. 30, 1996). A device toprovide timed lighting on vehicles and on portable emergency triangles.

[0027] Dagget, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,124 (May 19, 1998). Anelectrical hazard marker which is cone shaped, has two brightnesslevels, and fits into the trunk of a car.

[0028] Wu, U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,346 (Sep. 20, 1994). Reflective warningtriangle incorporating red LED lights.

[0029] Gunter, U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,910 (Aug. 28, 1990). Hazard warningtriangle with flashing lights.

[0030] Saubolle, U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,781 (Jun. 16, 1992). Batterypowered, LED-lit hazard warning device for use in place of aconventional flare.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0031] The inventor observed in his experience as an interstate truckerthat many times it is not immediately apparent to other drivers whetherthe flashing lights of a vehicle are intended to signal a turn or tosignal a stopped or slow-moving vehicle. This occurs frequently when atruck or car is parked or moving slowly on the shoulder or in a drivinglane with four-way lights flashing, but with only one side of thesignalling vehicle visible to drivers to the rear, usually because athird vehicle blocks the view from behind. Following drivers who seeonly one side of the signalling vehicle cannot differentiate between astopped vehicle with four-way flashers on and a vehicle signalling thatit is about to pull into the adjacent traffic lane.

[0032] The same thing happens when a bus pulls over to pick up ordischarge passengers. Bus drivers often use their four-way flasherswhile at the curb picking up passengers and then change to a left turnsignal as they are about to pull back into traffic. Following driverswho can see only the left signal lights of the bus are unable to tellwhen the four-ways are turned off and the bus is going to move left.

[0033] Even when both flashing rear lights of al stopped or slow-movingvehicle are seen, because turn signals flashing at the same uniform rateare so commonplace, drivers often are not as quickly aware as they couldbe that they are seeing a hazard warning and not a turn signal. This isespecially the case in traffic situations, such as a busy freeway, withmany vehicle lights in view. A hazard signal of unique pattern, when itbecomes widely recognized, should often alert oncoming drivers morequickly to the hazard posed by a stopped or slow-moving vehicle.

[0034] Truckers and other experienced drivers, when driving at highwayspeeds and coming unexpectedly upon stopped traffic, often turn on theirhazard flashers to warn following drivers to expect a very abrupt stopin an unexpected place. A quicker recognition by the following driversof the hazard alert could make the difference between stopping in timeand a having a collision. The distinctive variable rate of the hazardalert flasher could help provide such quicker recognition of the warningsignal.

[0035] Incorporation of the hazard alert flasher, with its distinctiveflash sequence, into free-standing emergency electric lanterns andilluminated warning triangles could have the potential for better andearlier recognition of the signal for a disabled vehicle and couldresult in increased safety.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0036] It is the objective of the invention to:

[0037] 1) Create a hazard alert flash sequence with distinctive flashrates and patterns so that hazard signals can be quickly and easilydistinguished from turn signals.

[0038] 2) Create a unique hazard alert flash sequence, as in 1), to besubmitted for approval to highway authorities for adoption as newlyaccepted hazard flash rates and patterns which are different from ratesand patterns presently permitted by highway regulations.

[0039] 3) Create a unique hazard alert flash sequence, as in 1) and 2),intended to be a universal warning signal of a highway hazard.

[0040] 4) Provide highway vehicles with a pulse-generating device tocontrol the hazard warning flasher and produce a differentialnon-uniform flash pattern which is distinctive and readily distinguishedfrom turn signals.

[0041] 5) Provide pulse-generating devices to convert existing vehiclesto the non-uniform hazard flash pattern.

[0042] 6) Provide pulse generating devices with the non-uniform hazardflash pattern to install in new vehicles.

[0043] 7) Provide pulse generating devices, for turn signals and hazardwarning flashers, with flash patterns and rates controlled bymicroprocessors, which devices can produce the non-uniform hazard alertsequence.

[0044] 8) Provide pulse generating devices for emergency electriclanterns, illuminated emergency warning triangles, and electricreplacements for pyrotechnic flares, which can produce the same orsimilar non-uniform hazard alert pattern as automotive hazard flashers,for improved recognition.

[0045] 9) Provide flasher pulse generating devices, as above, adaptableto incandescent bulbs, light emitting diodes and other light sourcesincluding varied-color sources.

[0046] 10) Provide flasher pulse generating devices which can be builtwith programming to meet whatever different flash rates and patterns asmay be needed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The hazard alert flasher described generates hazard warningflasher rates and patterns for highway vehicles and for highwayemergency electric lanterns. A specific and unique flash pattern isintended to alert other motorists, at first sight, that they are seeinga hazard warning and not a turn signal. After numerous trials a signalconsisting of three very short flashes followed by a pause has beenselected for the automotive hazard alert flasher prototype.

[0048] The flash rate of the automotive prototype is designed to complywith the requirements of federal and stale laws and regulations. Thestandard adopted by the authorities is that of the Society of AutomotiveEngineers (SAE). SAE J945 provides that the hazard flash rate shall be60 to 120 flashes per minute and the percent on time shall be 30% to75%. The flash rate of the automotive prototype as programmed is 120flashes per minute and 32% on time.

[0049] The flash rate and pattern used in the automotive prototype hasbeen judged by the inventor to work adequately with incandescent bulbsor light emitting diodes (LED's). If the regulations could be modifiedto allow for more flashes per minute and a lower percent of on time, itis anticipated that a different rate of flash would be preferred.

[0050] An application using exclusively LED's or other devices couldmake it practical and desirable to have different rates and/or patterns.The relatively long warm up and cool down time of incandescent bulbslimits how short the on time and the off time can be compared to LED's.

[0051] Because the emergency electric lantern is planned for use onlywith LED's and because it is assumed that the above mentioned SAEstandards do not apply, the prototype emergency electric lantern flashrate is faster than the rate used for the vehicle prototype.

[0052] The hazard flash rate and pattern of the automotive prototype is,in milliseconds:

[0053] The hazard flash rate and pattern of the emergency electriclantern prototype is, in milliseconds:

[0054] To achieve the differential, non-uniform flash rate of the hazardalert flashers, a microprocessor is used. If a different rate or patternof hazard flash is needed or desired, the microprocessors can be soprogrammed.

[0055] In the vehicle application, one of the microprocessor leads isconnected to the left turn signal and another to the right turn signal.The microprocessor provides the hazard flash rate and pattern when bothleft and right turn signal leads are grounded through the lamps. Thestandard turn signal rate and pattern of flash is produced if only oneturn signal lead is so grounded.

[0056] The electric flow through the microprocessor is only enough toactuate the control coil of the relay. When the relay closes, electriccurrent adequate for all the signal lamps on the vehicle can flowthrough the relay to the turn signal/hazard signal control switches andfrom there to the lamp circuits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DIAGRAMS

[0057]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing how the pulse generator fitsinto the wiring of a vehicle.

[0058]FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of the prototype hazard alert pulsegenerator for installation into a motor vehicle. It can drive a largenumber of lamps, e.g., as in truck applicatons, and also can producestandard turn signal pulses.

[0059]FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of the prototype hazard alert pulsegenerator as designed to drive only a small number of lamps as in afreestanding emergency warning device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0060]FIG. 1: When the turn signal-hazard alert selector is engaged acircuit is completed through the left turn lamps, through the right turnlamps, or through both left and right turn lamps. Through the pulseselection sensor wires, the pulse generator senses whether both left andright side lights are energized or just one side. If only one side isenergized, the pulse produced is the standard turn signal pulse. If bothsides are energized, the distinctive hazard alert pulse is produced.

[0061]FIG. 2: The Automotive Flasher Unit is designed around a singlechip 8-bit microprocessor. The processor used in the prototype is aMicroChip PIC12c508 microprocessor, however, there are dozens of other8-bit processors that could be used for this purpose. Pin connections tothe microprocessor (uP) are as follows: Signal Name uP Pin I/O FunctionLTurn 4 Input Left Turn has been activated RTurn 5 Input Right Turn hasbeen activated FO 6 Input Monitor flasher relay output None 2 UnusedRLYdrive 7 Output Flasher relay drive output Vdd 1 +5 Volts to uP Vss 8Ground to uP none 3 Unused

[0062] The uP performs logic to create the functions output from theFlasher Unit. The functions are:

[0063] 1) Create hazard warning flash

[0064] 2) Create turn signal

[0065] Create Hazard Warning Flash Logic

[0066] If the FO (Flash Output) signal line is low while the RLYdrive(Relay Drive output) is low, one of the three signals has been activated,i.e. Right turn, Left turn or Hazard warning. If both the Right turnand Left turn inputs are high, the Hazard warning signal has beenactivated.

[0067] Create Turn Signal Logic

[0068] If the FO (Flash Output) signal line is low while the RLYdrive(Relay Drive output) is low, one of the three signals has beenactivated, i.e. Right turn, Left turn or Hazard warning. If either theRight turn or Left turn input is high, but not both, the turn signal hasbeen activated.

[0069] For the purposes of the prototype designs, the Hazard Flashoutputs are a series of flashes as follows:

[0070] (1) Automotive application: On 160 ms, off 200 ms, on 160 ms, off200 ms, on 160 ms, off 620 ms, Repeat every 1.5 seconds.

[0071] (2) Freestanding signals: On 75 ms, off 150 ms, on 75 ms, off 150ms, on 75 ms, off 150 ms, on 75 ms, off 525 ms, Repeat every 1.275seconds.

[0072] Theses sequences can be replaced with any other combination ofrepeating or non-repeating flashes and pauses.

[0073] For the purposes of the automotive prototype design, the TurnSignal output is a series of flashes as follows:

[0074] On 333 ms, off 333 ms, Repeat to produce approximately 90 flashesper minute.

[0075] The turn signal sequence could be tailored to suit anyapplication.

[0076] The Left turn and Right turn inputs are monitored periodicallythroughout the flash sequence. If the status of the Left turn or Rightturn signals changes, i.e. the Hazard Flasher or the Turn signal isturned off, the RLYdrive output is turned off (the flasher is turnedoff) and the program is directed back to the location where the Leftturn and Right turn input signal lines are tested for Hazard Flasher orTurn signal activity.

[0077] The RLYdrive (relay drive output) signal is fed to the base oftransistor Q2 through a current limiting resistor R3. When current isdriven into the base of Q2 through R3, the collector of Q2 is pulled toground potential and relay K1 is energized. This completes a circuitthrough the normally open contacts of K1 to impress 12 volts ont FO(Flasher Output). Through the external vehicle switching (turn signal orhazard flasher contacts) power is delivered to the turn signal/flasherlamps. D1 is present to protect Q2 and the rest of the 5 Volt circuitryfrom voltage spikes created when K1 is de-energized. DS1 is an LED(Light Emitting Diode) that can be installed to indicate that theflasher is operating in the flash mode. R2 limits current through DS1.

[0078] Typical input circuitry is described. The Left turn input isconnected to the cathode of a diode (D4). This diode blocks the currentinto the Left turn input after the voltage rises above 5 Volts, thuslimiting the operating input voltage to the uP to 5 Volts. This is wellwithin the limits for the uP. R4 pulls the input of the uP to +5 Voltswhen there is no connection to the Left turn input ,i.e. when the turnsignal is off. R5 is a current limiting resistor for voltage spikesentering through the Left turn input. D3 and D9 limit the noise voltageto ground or +5 Volts depending on the polarity of the noise current.

[0079] The power supply circuit is described. The power is connected tothe circuit between ground (−) and the anode of D2 (+). D2 is present toprovide polarity protection for the entire circuit. If the powerconnections are reversed, no current can flow to the circuit, since D2is reverse biased. C2 provides filtering for the input current. U1 is athree terminal regulator that regulates the input voltage (+9 to +16Volts) to +5 Volts. The +5 Volts is supplied to all points in thecircuit requiring +5 Volts. C1 is an output filter for the +5 Volts.

[0080]FIG. 3: The freestanding Flasher Unit is designed around a singlechip 8-bit microprocessor. The processor used in the prototype is aMicroChip PIC 12c508 microprocessor, however there are dozens of other8-bit processors that could be used for this purpose. Pin connections tothe microprocessor (uP) are as follows: Signal Name uP Pin I/O Functionunused 3 unused 5 unused 6 unused 2 LMPdrive 7 Output Flasher driveoutput Vcc 8 +5 Volts to uP Vss 1 Ground to uP Unused 4

[0081] The uP performs logic operations based on time to create theflashing output from the Flasher Unit.

[0082] For the purpose of a prototype design, the Emergency Flash outputis a series of flashes as follows: On 75 ms, off 150 ms, on 75 ms, off150 ms, on 75 ms, off 150 ms, on 75 ms, off 525 ms, Repeat every 1.275seconds. This sequence may any other combination of repeating ornon-repeating flashes.

[0083] The unit is activated by placing the ON/OFF switch (S1) in the ONposition. Power is thus applied to the microprocessor, which activates,goes through its reset routine and then proceeds with a standard programof activating and deactivating the lamp drive output (LMPdrive). TheLMPdrive (lamp drive output) signal is fed to the base of transistor Q1.When voltage is applied to the gate of Q1, the drain of Q1 is pulled toground potential and the flasher lamp is energized. The unit continuesto drive the flasher lamp until the unit is deactivated by turning theON/OFF switch to the OFF position.

[0084] The power supply circuit is described. Battery power is connectedto the circuit between ground (−) and one end of S1. The other end of S1is connected to the anode of D1. D1 is present to provide polarityprotection for the entire circuit. If the power connections arereversed, no current can flow to the circuit since D1 is reverse biased.C2 provides filtering for the input current. U1 is a three terminalregulator that regulates the input voltage (+9 to +16 Volts) to +5Volts. The +5 Volts is supplied to all points in the circuit requiring+5 Volts. C1 is an output filter for the +5 Volts.

We claim:
 1. A distinctive hazard alert flash sequence which can bedistinguished from a vehicle turn signal even if only one lamp is seen.2. A hazard alert flash pattern, as in 1), for motor vehicles, forportable emergency flashers, for illuminated emergency warningtriangles, and for electric lighted substitutes for pyrotechnic flares,which flash pattern is non-uniform and different from anddistinguishable from the flash pattern used for vehicle turn signals. 3.A hazard alert flash pattern, as in 1) and 2), which includes a seriesof any number of short flashes, separated by short off times, allfollowed by a longer pause or off time, after which the cycle repeats.4. A hazard flash pattern, as in 1), 2) and 3), consisting of threeshort flashes, separated by two short off times, all followed by alonger pause or off time, after which the cycle begins again.
 5. Ahazard flash pattern, as in 1), 2) and 3), consisting of four shortflashes, separated by three short off times, all followed by a longerpause or off time, after which the cycle begins again.
 6. A hazard flashpattern, as in 1), 2) and 3), consisting of five short flashes,separated by four short off times, all followed by a longer pause or offtime, after which the cycle begins again.
 7. A pulse generator whichproduces a distinctive hazard flash pattern, as in 1), 2), 3), 4), 5),and 6), and in automotive applications also produces a standard turnsignal pulse.
 8. An electronic flasher system which uses amicroprocessor to produce a turn signal pulse, and also to producedistinctive hazard flash pulse patterns, as in 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), 6),and 7).
 9. Electronic flashers as in 1), 2), 3), 4), 5), 6), 7) and 8)in applications to operate incandescent, bulbs, light emitting diodes,and other light emitting devices.